Preparation

The International Studies major prepares students for today’s more globalized world. Whether you plan to work in your home state, like Tennessee, Washington DC, or abroad, understanding our complex world is a crucial skill, and there are wide range of career opportunities for graduates.

Why International Studies at UT Martin?

UT Martin’s Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies is an interdisciplinary experience meaning that students are required to take a variety of core classes from political science, economics, geography, and history, among others, to get a well-rounded view of the world. This is complemented with a language minor, and travel-study or study abroad requirements that provide invaluable experiential learning. Finally, UT Martin offers students two concentrations to choose from within the International Studies major: Business and Economic Development and Strategic Studies.

BA Learning Objectives related to the CBGA Mission:

Describe the world today and draw connections and patterns among issues from multiple perspectives and disciplines.

Develop an understanding of the interaction among global actors, and demonstrate problem-solving, negotiation, and diplomacy skills in an inter-agency simulation.

Acquire and develop technical, analytical, research, critical thinking, writing, and presentation skills that reflect the interdisciplinary nature of the major.

2016-2017 Catalog Curriculum Model

Core Courses (18 hours from selected courses)

INST 485 - The Changing World Order *
At least three upper level courses from these suggested courses in Political Science and Economics (9 hours)

POSC 321 - International Relations

POSC 322 - American Foreign Policy

POSC 341 - Survey of Comparative Politics

POSC 423 - International Organizations and Law

ECON 321 - International Economics

ECON 322 - Economic Development
At least one course from either Geography or History (3 hours):

GEOG 461 - Economic Geography

GEOG 462 - Political Geography

HIST 463 - U.S. Foreign Relations to 1920

HIST 464 - U.S. Foreign Relations since 1920
OR a regional history approved by the Coordinator of International Studies.

Area Concentration (18-21 hours)

Students consult with their advisors to design a set of courses that will prepare them for careers in either Business and Economic Development or Strategic Studies. Other concentrations with a distinguishable international focus may also be considered.

Business and Economic Development Concentration (18-21 hours)

This concentration prepares students for eventual careers or further study in emerging markets or developing countries. Combined with their core courses, the cluster would position students for eventual careers in international business, government aid programs, economic development, country risk analysis, humanitarian and disaster relief. There is a strong demand for well qualified international project managers and analysts with consulting companies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the US government, development banks and UN agencies.

This concentration prepares students for work as analysts with government agencies, the military, private contractors or international organizations.

Students choose from:

GEOG 310 - Principles of Geographic Information Systems

GEOG 410 - Geographic Information Systems: Modeling and Applications

GEOG 420 - Applied Meteorology and Climatology

GEOG 461 - Economic Geography

GEOG 462 - Political Geography

GEOG 471 - Cartography

GEOG 472 - Climatology

POSC 322 - American Foreign Policy

POSC 333 - The President and Congress

POSC 341 - Survey of Comparative Politics

POSC 343 - Politics, Economy and Society in Contemporary China

POSC 423 - International Organizations and Law

POSC 481 - Topics in International Security Studies [Topic Title]

POSC 482 - Introduction to International Security Studies

POSC 490 - Topics in Non U.S. Political Science: [Topic Title]

POSC 491 - Dimensions of Globalism
At least nine (9) hours must come from the Political Science courses listed above.

Foreign Language Minor (12 upper-division hours)

Students must minor in French, German, Japanese or Spanish. International students and resident aliens for whom it is determined that English is a second language may minor in English. A minor consists of at least 12 hours numbered 300 or above, plus any prerequisite courses. Students may wish to receive a recognition of proficiency, which requires 15 hours. It is highly recommended that students take an additional year of a second foreign language.

Travel-Study (6 hours minimum-12 hours maximum)

Majors must participate in at least one (3 hours) travel study program in a foreign country. The remaining 3 hours may be satisfied by a program with international content such as the Washington travel study which must be approved by the Coordinator of International Studies. The travel study portion enables students to extend subject matter competence, develop language proficiency, refine career interests and develop sensitivity to other cultures. Although students may participate in any approved study-abroad program, it is strongly recommended that students take advantage of the many foreign-study opportunities available at UT Martin which involve a summer, one semester, or a year.